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Grayling-Portfolio β Androgynous
Published: 2012-08-30 21:37:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 7081; Favourites: 38; Downloads: 0
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Description
Model: Grayling [link]Photographer: Bailey Northcott [link]
MUA: Jenn Aqui [link]
ADALA CLOTHING: [link]
BESERK CLOTHING: [link]
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Comments: 12
Β That is super amazing: you actually look really young in this photo - adolescent - like 13 or 14 yrs old.
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I'm afraid I find this comment lacking of any merit whatsoever- if you have something more intelligent to say or can explain why you would wish to leave such a comment, please do. If not, I will likely delete it. My apologies.
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well since you asked so politely...
While the darkened eyebrows, short hairstyle and angled shot that hides your chest are good attempts at an androgynous appearance, the full red lips and soft skin are still far too feminine. There is no adam's apple and the brightness of the shot hides absolutely any facial hair on you. That aside, there's just something about this picture that gave away that you were female before I was even able to see the rest of your profile or pictures. I can't quite put it into words. My comment "girl" was my way of guessing before verifying it.
On a side note, while I do appreciate your inquisitive mind for seeking a more thorough explanation, the phrase "I find this comment lacking of any merit whatsoever" as well as the small backhand insult of my intelligence that you implied(intentionally or not) would elicit a much more ignorant comment in a less level-headed individual. Might I suggest a little more tact next time as your comment makes you come off as condescending and a tad bit elitist. But that's just my thought on it. And before you respond to(or delete)my comment, I should let you know that my intention is not to offend nor to insult. I merely speak my mind.
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As with your earlier comment, which leaves much to the imagination, I did not intend to offend or insult. This portfolio receives a large quantity of lewd comments, often of a single word, and after dealing with numerous offenders, it is easy to treat a vague post with some degree of sarcasm. Your level-headedness is much appreciated.
The image is not intended to be a perfect example of androgyny- indeed, I believe androgyny itself need not be perfect in order to be labeled as such, anymore than a "true woman" need appear perfectly feminine in order to still be referred to as a woman. That being said, I agree with your assessment. The image retains a strong aura of femininity. I would also add that I believe most beauty shots, even those of men, have a tinge of this aura, simply because beauty and femininity are so closely linked in western thought.
I would love to promote discussion on this topic, if you wish to do so. Had your original comment been so well-reasoned, I assure that I would not have suggested its deletion.
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Well I do admit, with some apprehension, I'm surprised. Because I was honestly expecting a verbal lashing. I appreciate your understanding. And I do apologize for being so vague.
While I do agree that western culture has placed much emphasis on "beauty=feminine"(often to the extent that men with "beautiful" traits are considered effiminate) I must say that there is an even greater emphasis in western culture on beauty as a whole. Notice what most "attractive" men look like now as opposed to before. Though this does NOT apply to every individual peson, the vast majority of people seem to consider the most attractive men as having:
-softer, lighter, and smoother skin
-Long flowing hair
-Bright cool-colored eyes
-little to no facial hair and no visible body hair
all traits of outer beauty that used to, in a manner of speaking, "belong" exclusively to women. This is simply based on my own experience and the opinions of people that I observe. Admittedly it may be a little biased considering I'm still in college but it's the world I live in.
why do I say this? To stress that while I agree with just about everything else you've stated, I just cannot agree that being beautiful is the pressure of a "true woman". seems to better fit the bill of "valuable person" men and women alike are encouraged to have that aura about them and both are given more advantages and respect as a whole for it.
I can tell you from experience that the world treats you better when you're attractive. I used to weigh 300 pounds. I worked my ass off to lose it and when I did I felt better about myself but I also felt a tad bitter that people who paid me no mind were suddenly treating me much nicer despite the fact that who I was inside hadn't changed. It's actually a tad ironic that I'm saying this specifically on a picture of that title.
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Ah, I see...that's not quite what I meant. Men certainly are under great pressure to live up to certain ideals of beauty, although different sides of the gender binary experience that pressure in different forms. I believe the male form to be less outspoken and more insidious, but not weaker. I would also venture to suggest that most people would probably refer to a man with the characteristics you describe as effeminate, unless his behaviour was a paragon of machismo. Physically attractive, yes...but effeminate nonetheless. Being of the more androgynous persuasion myself, I see no reason for the adjective "effeminate" and similar to be insulting when applied to a man, and therefore believe the problem is of a different nature: that a uniquely male beauty is not recognized. Real men often have an abundance of body hair and most men naturally grow facial hair. Short hair is also far more manageable than long hair, and has the potential for more creative styling. Even being a little on the heavy side is more healthy and natural than say...sickly-thin commercial norms. If such natural beauty were recognized, not only men, but also women could make do with less vigorous beauty routines. The problem is not a love of physical beauty so much as the artificial form that such beauty takes on.
This may all seem odd, coming from someone who works part-time as a model, but put it this way: the closer I come to the more commercial sectors of the industry, the farther my work strays from my true beliefs concerning human beauty and attraction. Glossy and polished are not my vision of perfection, even as I assist in the creation of such images. I will always be happier working with artists, cartoonists, animators and fine art photographers than anyone who has a product or lifestyle to sell. I would much prefer to be the vendor of visions and ideas. Funny world, no?
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Indeed. Now that is a sentiment that I can agree with completely.
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